Traction-wheel.



J. MENNE. v TRACTION WHEEL. APPLicmou man Aue.5,1914.

- Patented June 8, 1915.

,1 Ti Z Swvewhov JasephMenne.

JOSEPH MENNEQOF GREENBAY, WISCONSIN.

TnAcTIoN-WHEEL.

a To all whom it may concern:

an enlarged radial section through .motor truck type,

Be it known that I, Josnrrihlmvnn, a citizen of the-United States,residing at Green Bay, in the county of- Brown and State of Wisconsin,have invented new and useful Improvements in Traction-Wheels, of whichthe following is a specification. I v

This invention relates to traction Wheels for motor vehicles, the objectin view being to provide a vehicle wheel with a plurality of tractionspikes so combined with the wheel that said spikes maybe retracted fromtheir working positions and locked in such retracted position by simpleand novel means which will prevent the accidental movement of suchtraction spikes to their operative position thus avoiding any danger ofthe wheel injuring citystreets and modern road beds. At the same time,when the spikes are needed for extracting the vehicle from, soft andmarshy spots, the traction spikes may be easily and convenientlyreleased and allowed to move to their working positions.

' With the above and other objects in view,

"the invention consists in the novel construction,- combination andarrangement of parts, as herein described, illustrated and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings :Figure 1 is a side elevation of asuflicient portion of a vehicle wheel to illustrate the application ofthe present invention thereto. Fig. 2 is the wheel showing the manner ofmounting and actuating the traction spikes.

Referring to the drawings A generally designates a vehicle wheel whichin the present instance is'shown as of the heavy duty said wheelcomprising a hub l, spokes 2, and rim 3 to which the tire is applied,said tire, in the preferredxembodiment of this invention, consisting oftwo annular sections 4 and 5 arranged in spaced relation to each otherand leaving an intervening channel 6 in the plane of which the tractionspikes of this invention are arranged.

In'the preferred embodiment of this invention, every other spoke 2 isconstructed as illustrated in the detail sectional view, Fig. 2. That isto say, every other spoke is of hollow or tubular construction so as toadmit of the sliding therein of a traction spike 7 The main body of thetraction spike is preferably square or poly-sided in cross section toprevent the same from turning on its longitudinal axis and it isprovided in the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed Angust5, 1 914. I Serial No. 855,257.

Patented June 8,1915.

outer end thereof with a V-shaped'notch 8 thereby providing two chiselshaped gripping edges 9 which obtain a positive hold on the road surfacein either direction of rotation of the wheel A.

Each traction spike 7 is also provided with an inwardly extendingrounded shank.

or stem 10 and around this stem is disposed 'a coiled expansion spring'11 which lies within the tubular spoke 2 and serves to thrust 1 thespike outwardly, the outward movement of the spike being limited bymeans of a lug or shoulder 12 projecting from one side of the main bodyof the spike and working in a longitudinal slot 13 in one side of thespoke. The lug or shoulder 12 also assists in looking the traction spikein its retracted position as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

In connection with each traction spike, I employ a latch bar 14 which ispivotally connected at the end 15 to one of the spokes and detachablyconnected another spoke which is provided with a stud 17 behind whichthe adjacent extremity of the latch bar 14 may be held.

In connection with each of the slotted spokes, I prefer to employ ashutter 18 pivotally attached to the spoke at 19 and adapted to be swungthrough the arc of approximately 90, as indicated in Fig. 1, the shutter18 being adapted, when the mechanism is not 'in use tov close in theouter end of the spring 11 and exclude foreign matter therefrom.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings it will now be seen that when the traction spikes are notneeded, they may be drawn inwardlyand locked by means of the bars 14which-engage the lugs or shoulders 12 on the spikes. When the spikes arethus re tracted and locked, they will not engage and injure the roadsurface. When, however, the machine is traveling over soft ground orbecomes mired in a soft place, the bars 14 may be disconnected from thestuds 17 thus allowing the traction spikes to be thrust outwardly bymeans of the springs 11. The projecting ends of the spikes will thusobtain a firm hold on the ground and enable the machine to extricateitself from a soft place. Upon reaching hard ground, the spikes willautomatically telescope into the tubular spokes 2 thus avoiding anyjarring of the machine until the spokes are again at the end 16 to fullyretracted and locked by means of the sections in spaced relation to eachother bars 14:. r r I leaving an intervening 7 channel, spring- What Iclaim is 2- thrust. traction spikes mounted to telescope V l. A tractionwheel for motor vehicles into said tubular spokes and work through 5comprising a hub, rim and spokes, certain said rim and between saidannular tire sec- 25 '7 of said spokes beingof tubular or hollow tions,a lug on each spike. projecting beyond 7 formation, spring-thrusttraction spikes the lateral plane of the respective spoke,

mounted to telescope intosaid tubular and a locking bar for each spike,said bar spokes and work through said rim, a lug on being pivotallyattached at one end to one of I 10 each spike projecting beyond thelateral the spokes, detachably fastened at its oppo: 30

plane of the respective spoke, and a looking site end to another spoke,and engaging sald bar for each spike, said bar being pivotally lug tohold the spike in a retracted position. attached at one end to one ofthe'spokes, In testimony whereof I afiix my signature detaihablyflasteneg at its oppositde (land to in presence of witnesses. 1 15 anoter spo (e, an engaging sai mg to v hold the spike in a retractedposition. V JOSEPH 2. A traction wheel for motor vehicles Witnesses:

comprising a hub, rim and spokes, certain GEO. A. Brent meson, V of saidspokes being of tubular or hollow J. H. LAWLER, 20 formation, a tireconsisting of two annular J oHN-C. MILLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

. T Washington, I). O.

